Redskins Hit the Street for Free Agents

Scout.com

01/05/2007

It's the time of year when teams start signing street free agents. These are they guys that nobody seems to know anything about--except for the reporters, scouts, and analysts on our vast Scout.com network.

WarpathInsiders.com has
learned that the Redskins have signed several players to free agent contracts.
Here is some analysis on each of them from around the Scout.com network.

Jared Clauss
DTIowa
6-4, 290
DOB: 04.07.81
Last with Titans released 9/5/06:Scout.com draft analysis 2004: Hard working,
competitive prospect that must physically fill out to make it at the next level.
Quickly gets off the ball with a terrific first step, plays with leverage,
balance and rarely off his feet. Slides laterally, wedges through the small
creases in the offensive line then shoots through the open gaps to the ball
carrier. A hard worker that does the extras off the field to become a better
player, Clauss is a high motor defender with a good head for the position.
Limited athletically, he must improve his strength to have a shot of starting in
the NFL.

WarpathInsiders.com analysis:
Should the Redskins not draft a defensive tackle with their first-round
selection there should be some opportunity to unseat either veteran Ryan Boschetti or 2006 fifth-round selection Anthony Montgomery. It goes without
saying that anyone signed from the street free agent group is a long shot to
make the team.

Jerrell Pippens
SNebraska
6-2, 190
DOB: 06.30.80
Last with Chargers released 8/28/06:
Pippens spent training camp with the Bears in 2003. The Bear Report filed this
information about him on September 1 of that year:

Pippens, who was a track star in high
school, walked on at Nebraska and
eventually earned a scholarship. He appeared in 43 games as a safety for the
Cornhuskers, but his only start came when the team opened the game in the nickel
defense.

He went undrafted in 2004 and landed
with the San Diego Chargers. The night
before training camp head coach Marty Schottenheimer told Pippens he would move
to cornerback, a position he had virtually no experience playing. He had a
chance to play corner in camp and preseason, but it was a slow process.

Pippens started the season on the
practice squad where he worked with the scout team. He was elevated to the
active roster in Week 7 and spent nearly two months there before being waived in
Week 15.

"I was a little surprised when that
happened with being on the waiver wire and all that, but everything happens for
a reason," Pippens said. "But like anything I do in life, whatever situation
I have in front of me, I have to make the best of it and that's what I'm
trying to do here."

It took the Bears just one day to sign
Pippens. At six-foot-2, 190 pounds they saw something that couldn't be taught,
size.

Pippens was again moved to cornerback
early in training camp. However, an injury to Jerry Azumah allowed him to get reps as the third cornerback. It has turned into a
valuable learning experience for the second year player that had to take in a
new position and scheme.

WarpathInsiders.com analysis: Pippens
has the size and physical nature that is a good fit for Gregg Williams'
defensive system. The only safety on the season-ending roster who is assured a
2007 spot is Sean Taylor so there is plenty of opportunity here.

Chris WilsonDENorthwood College6-4, 240DOB: 07.10.82Last with BC Lions of CFLStarted every game for the past two seasons for the Grey
Cup Champion Lions. "I am young enough and at the best stage in my
life to go for this opportunity," the 24-year-old told TSN.ca. "I am
thankful to the Lions for giving me a chance and I plan on making the most of
this one with the Redskins." Wilson had eight sacks in two season with BC.

WarpathInsiders.com analysis: As
former CFL star Jesse Lumsden learned last year, success north of the border
doesn't always translate to success here. It's always good to take a look at
someone who has had success on the professional level, but Wilson seems to be
too small to make it at the highest level.

Scout.com Draft Analysis (2004):
Productive signal caller with nice pocket presence. Sets up with solid footwork,
patient and buys time for receivers. Sells the ball fakes, looks off the safety
and passes to the underneath outlet if nothing's available down the field. Looks
away from covered receivers and makes good choices, pulling the ball down and
running with it if nothing is available. Relatively accurate, times the outs
well and displays good anticipation throwing the ball.

A productive passer three years
running, Bramlet was one of the few bright spots in what had been a very dreary
Wyoming program. Solid in the short range passing game, he offers a feel for the
position. Perhaps if Mark Brunell and/or Todd Collins are gone by the time
training camp comes around Bramlet will have a chance to stick as the third QB.